Israel's Cabinet backs loyalty-oath proposal

Oct. 11, 2010 12:00 AMLos Angeles Times

JERUSALEM - The Israeli government moved Sunday to adopt a controversial loyalty oath that would require Palestinians and other prospective non-Jewish citizens to swear allegiance to Israel as a "Jewish and democratic state."

Supporters said the proposed amendment to Israel's citizenship law, which is expected to be adopted by the Knesset after Sunday's Cabinet vote, strengthens Israel's identity as the homeland of the Jewish people.

Critics called the measure anti-democratic and discriminatory because it would not apply to Jewish immigrants seeking Israel citizenship, and appeared chiefly aimed at Palestinians applying for Israeli citizenship after marrying Arab Israelis.

No other groups in Israel currently are required to pledge allegiance to a "Jewish and democratic state."

"This proposal pokes an unnecessary finger in the eye of the Arab minority," said Ahmed Tibi, a leading Arab-Israeli lawmaker. "The message it sends to the Arab minority is that they are second-, third- and fourth-class citizens."

Loyalty oaths have been discussed by the Cabinet in the past, but never approved.

Many say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to support the proposed law as a gesture to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, whose right-wing Yisrael Beitenu party has long lobbied for it.

Left-wing political leaders said Netanyahu may be trying to soften opposition among conservatives if he decides to renew a West Bank construction freeze. The U.S. is pushing for a renewed freeze as a way to keep Palestinians from quitting the talks.

Minority Affairs Minister Avishai Braverman, whose Labor Party voted against the measure, called the deal a form of "political prostitution."